South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-08-19
MINETTE.

Without doubt Minette was the pref
test child in the jacques founding hos
pital. So CHEEKY and bright was she that
every one loved her, and after awhile the
matron gave her the name of Sunette,
For" she said, ''the little thing seems
to flood every place where she happens
10 be with sunshine"
One day, as tie tiny girl sat on a little
| circle of closely shaven turf. where stood
Il fine marble statue of Hebe that some
person had given to decorate the hospital
| grounds, singing as her habit was, at the
top of her voice, one of the physicians
came that way and asked:
"What is beneath you, my happy
baby?"
Grass, replied the child, promptly,
pulling her scant check skirt about her
dimpled knees; ''or do you see bug or
any creeping thing?" and she looked
about her uneasily
Nothing of the kind, little one" said
the young man, laughing, ''What is be-
meath the grassl"
Dirt is" said Minette, shutting her
rosy lips very tight. Il know saw
Paul, the gardener plant rose tree"
VERY good. What is beneath the
dirt?"
Don't know" and the rosy lips
pursed themselves in puzzled express
| sion.
Il Will tell you, my small beauty"
said the doctor, mysteriously. 'It is
China, and the people who live there
look like the pictures on madam's tca-set
and on the fire-screen in the old DOCTOR
room. If you sing long enough and loud
enough they will hear you and come.
bringing whatever you like best"
81 would like best mamma and
papa" The answer was at once forth
coming and the lips tightly closed
And wax doll and n kitten"
No, my mamma and papa will get
what else | want. / shall sing for them
"Well, | must say that, considering
the circumstances. you have very clear
ideas of parental responsibilities, and
the young man went laughing on his
way, laughing again as he paused
moment at the hospital door to listen
| to Minette, who seemed to have tuned
her pipes anew in order to raise her
| Chinese bcnefactors.
! One morning lady and gentleman
came in at the gate and walked about
silently, regarding the children playing
here and there. As usual NIinctte was
on the circular bit of turf at the base Of
the statue of Hcbc, for she supposed
that in that very spot China was beneath
her She was singing little Provencai
love song, taught her by producc-vcn-
der, and as the new -comers paused TO
| listen, she said.
will you please to teach me song
that do not know
''You will first have 10 sing me the
ones you know, my little girl, so that
may be sure Of teaching you one that
you do not"
And will you stay 10 hear them MI. "
eagerly asked Minettc.
~ think 50, " and the lady sat down in
n garden chair in the shade Of a laurel
bush, and folded her hand. TO listen.
Miuettc sang her very best. and she
sang on and on, until her power Of voice
and memory were marvel to her
listeners. At last, ~ she began the last
OF her baby lullabys, the lady burst into
tears, and reckoning to her husband.
who was pacing up and down the gravel
walk near 10y, she said
This is the child that I have set my
heart upon. ! can be content with mo-
other. Come here, little one. and We
will be to you q father and mother"
] Mr.. and Mrs. Louis were the kindcst
OF parents to the little founding. and
she proved herself to be valuable sun
beam in their home All tho pcople on
the estate loved the bright. cheerful.
thoughtful young girl, and her life was
useful as well as happy ono.
When all the premises Of her beautiful.
budding womanhood seemed surest
death took from her in one week her
loving foster parents, aud then il became
J known that they had neglected TO make
provision for her support.